The purpose of the site plan review process is to encourage quality development in the Village of Bellevue that reflects the goals set forth in the Village of Bellevue Comprehensive Plan, while allowing flexibility in the design process. The comprehensive plan recommends better integration of diverse land uses and transportation modes through improved standards for site planning and design, including standards for building and parking placement, pedestrian connections, signage, and landscape improvements.
[Amended 11-14-2018 by Ord. No. O-2018-12]
Site plan review shall apply to all new construction, remodeling, expansion, exterior appearance modifications or change of uses, with the following exceptions:
A. 
Construction of single- and two-family residences.
B. 
The use is established in an existing building that has received site plan approval, and the establishment of the use does not alter the approved site plan for the property.
C. 
Proposed modifications are strictly related to the interior of the building.
D. 
Grading or site preparation that results in minor modifications to the existing site, as approved by the Village Engineer.
E. 
Construction, alteration of expansion of a public right-of-way, or any part thereof.
A. 
In general. Except in those instances specified in § 500-1502, site plan approval is required prior to issuance of a building permit for any proposed construction or issuance of a zoning certificate for any proposed use. When a site plan is required in support of a request for conditional use permit or variance approval, the plan shall also be subject to the requirements of this chapter.
B. 
Required information. All site plans shall be drawn to scale and shall contain the following information, unless otherwise specifically waived by the Zoning Administrator or his/her designated representative:
(1) 
Project name, location, developer, and designer of the project.
(2) 
Date of plan preparation, scale, and North arrow.
(3) 
A map showing the location of any railroads, major streams or rivers, wetlands, environmentally sensitive areas, and public streets in the vicinity of the site.
(4) 
Property dimensions and boundaries.
(5) 
Location, identification, and dimensions of existing and proposed:
(a) 
Topography of the site and adjacent areas within 50 feet by contour lines at intervals of not more than five feet.
(b) 
Public rights-of-way and easements.
(c) 
Onsite parking facilities, drives, and walkways, including direction of traffic flow; excludes one- and two-family developments.
(d) 
Service areas and loading docks; excludes one- and two-family developments.
(e) 
Buildings and structures, including gross and useable floor area (categorized as interior or exterior uses).
(f) 
Freestanding signs, light fixtures, fences, and other site furnishings; excludes one- and two-family developments.
(g) 
Stormwater management facilities, including ponds, drainageways, and drainage patterns, with directional arrows showing the proposed flow of stormwater runoff from the site.
(h) 
Landscaping materials, including sizes and locations.
(i) 
Renderings of all building elevations, including colors to be used, signage, and listing of finish materials (samples of exterior finish materials may be required).
(j) 
Site statistics, including gross square footage of both site and buildings, floor area ratio, percentage of impervious surface, and parking calculations.
(k) 
Details of roof-mounted mechanical equipment, screened per § 500-1705A(2).
[Added 11-14-2018 by Ord. No. O-2018-12[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also redesignated former Subsection B(5)(k) as Subsection B(5)(l).
(l) 
All other information deemed necessary by the Zoning Administrator or his/her designee, but will not include additional restrictions or information that is not already specified in the zoning code.
(6) 
When a site is to be developed in stages, the plan should indicate the ultimate development of the site and proposed developmental phases.
A. 
In general. The Community Development Review Team (CDRT) shall conduct the administrative review of all site plan approval requests. All findings and decisions of the CDRT shall be final, subject to appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals, as specified in Part 500-200, Administration and Enforcement.
B. 
Required findings. The Community Development Review Team shall make each of the following findings before approving a site plan approval request:
(1) 
The site plan conforms to all applicable standards within the chapter, Municipal Code, and is consistent with the applicable policies of the comprehensive plan.
(2) 
The site plan is consistent to the design principles detailed in the Bellevue: Site Design Guidelines booklet which is hereby incorporated by reference and made part of this chapter as if fully set forth herein.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Said booklet is on file in the Village offices.
(3) 
The site plan is consistent with any applicable functional or special area plans or development objectives adopted by the Village Board.
(4) 
The site plan minimizes any adverse effects of property in the immediate vicinity and minimizes congestion of the public streets.
(5) 
The site plan minimizes the environmental impact of the development relating to the preservation of existing natural resources on the site and the impact on the natural resources of the surrounding properties and neighborhood.
(6) 
The site plan provides sufficient width and suitable grade and location of streets designed to accommodate prospective traffic and to provide access for firefighting and emergency equipment to buildings.
(7) 
The site plan provides sufficient landscaping and screening to provide adequate buffers to shield lights, noise, movement or activities from adjacent properties when necessary, and to complement the design and location of buildings and be integrated into the overall site design.
C. 
Conditions of site plan approval. The CDRT may impose conditions on any proposed site plan and require such guarantees as it deems necessary for the protection of the public interest and to ensure compliance with the standards and purposes of this chapter, the applicable policies of the Land Use Plan, and any special land use plans adopted by the Village Board.
D. 
Changes to approved site plan. An approved site plan may not be changed, modified, or altered in any manner without the approval of the Village. If the Zoning Administrator or his/her designee determines that such changes are minor in nature, a revised site plan may not be required. In all other cases, a revised site plan shall be resubmitted for consideration by the CDRT.
E. 
Expiration of approved site plan. Unless a written extension request is submitted to and approved by the Zoning Administrator or his/her designee, an approved site plan shall expire upon either of the following conditions:
(1) 
A new site plan for the property is submitted to and approved by the CDRT.
(2) 
A building permit has not been issued within one year from the date of site plan approval.
F. 
Inspection and enforcement. Before issuing a certificate of occupancy and/or zoning certificate for any use not exempted under § 500-1502, the Zoning Administrator or his/her designee shall conduct an inspection to determine compliance with the conditions set forth on the approved site plan for the project. A temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued without completion of all elements on the site plan, provided written assurance is given that all improvements will be completed when feasible.
A. 
No building, or addition thereto, constructed after the effective date of this chapter, and no addition to a previously existing building, shall be occupied until an occupancy permit has been issued by the Village Zoning Administrator. No change in the use of a building shall be made until a permit has been issued by the Village Zoning Administrator for such change of use.
B. 
No occupancy permit shall be issued until construction has been completed and the premises inspected and certified by the Zoning Administrator or his/her designee to be in conformity with the plans and specifications upon which the building permit was based.
C. 
The occupancy permit shall be issued or notice shall be given to the applicant stating the reasons why a certificate cannot be issued, not later than seven days after the Zoning Administrator is notified in writing that the premises or building are ready for occupancy.
D. 
All occupancy permits shall be issued by the Bellevue Zoning Administrator.